Development of a System for Comprehensive in-vivo validation of Transrectal ultrasound based high Dose rate prostate brachytherapy Treatments

High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a treatment modality commonly used for the treatment of prostate cancer. In this technique, radiation is emitted from within the prostate, allowing for high doses to be delivered to the prostate whilst still sparing the surrounding organs at risk such as the urethra, bladder, and rectum. However, due to the close proximity of these organs at risk to the prostate, and therefore the radiation source, there is potential that small errors in placement of the source may lead to substantial changes in the delivered dose distribution. Consequently, these errors may lead to significant post-treatment gastrointestinal or genitourinary complications as well as suboptimal biochemical progression free survival. Due to the risk of HDR prostate brachytherapy (pBT) mistreatment resulting in significant post-treatment complications, it is essential that all potential risks in the treatment planning and delivery process are identified, and that these risks are minimised. One method of minimising these risks is through the implementation of routine in-vivo treatment verification (IVTV), through either in-vivo dosimetry or in-vivo source tracking.